Stay alert - Trains are often quiet and may approach from either direction. Be aware of those around you and look out for suspicious people. Watch the overhang - Trains are often wider than the tracks, never sit on the edge of the station platform.

Stay away from the platform edge - Stay at least three feet from the train while it is approaching or leaving the station.Watch your step - Pay attention to your footing when climbing on and off a train, there may be a substantial gap or an uneven surface. Don't flash your cash - keep valuables stored away and protect them. Sitting and watching a movie may sound like an appealing alternative to the 30 minute train ride, but it makes you a soft target.

- Operation life saver inc.

Bus transportation

Leave adequate of time to get on and off the bus - Don't leave things to the last minute and avoid a panic.Pay attention to your surroundings - listening to music with ear phones may distract you.Be cautious with your belongings - straps and rope hanging off your bags may catch bus hand rails and doors.Make use of the hand rails - When moving up or down, make use of the hand rail to prevent a possible fall.

Don't pick up anything on the bus - You have no idea what is in a bag, leave it alone!Be aware of your stop - Make sure you are up and waiting to get off the bus prior to your stop. Don't tell people you don't know about your commute - Hold back the urge to tell other commuters where you get off and where you live.

- Adapted from "16 tips for a safe bus ride"

Walking

Plan your route - Take advantage of your knowledge of the area and plan the shortest possible route. Walk with a friend - where possible, always walk with a friend for as long as possibleBlend in - Blend into the pedestrian traffic and try not to attract to much attention Avoid areas of unrest - Stay clear of areas where public protests or marches are taking place​

Leave your valuables at home - Leave your prized possessions at home and conceal those that are necessaryHave an escape route - Make a mental note of where you are walking and plan an alternative route

A culture of male sexual entitlement and the normalization of rape relate to high numbers of rape being perpetrated. South African men score very highly on an scales measuring hostile sexism. Hostile sexism refers to a belief that woman are inferior, cold, aggressive and selfish and seek to take over men's rightful place.

Conversely, South African woman score highly on the benevolent sexism scale. The benevolent sexism scale manifests as ideas about woman's specialness and their need to be cherished and protected. ​

Men who rape hold gender-inequitable views, and may be more likely to be physically violent towards their partners, engage in sex with multiple partners and practice transaction sex. Men who rape may be further categorized as those who raped their partners and men who raped non-partners.

Those who raped non-partners where more likely to use drugs, belong to gangs, likely to be susceptible to peer pressure and are generally wealthier and more socially advantaged those men who raped their partners. Child hood adversity including emotional and physical neglect, along with emotional, physical and sexual abuse is commonly found in both groups.

Reasons for not reporting a sexual offence:

​Fear of not being believed or being accused of lying

Feelings of shame, humiliation, guilt, and embarrassment

Feelings of pity and love for offender

Lack of physical access to police or social workers

Fear of retaliation or intimidation by the offender

Fear of the legal process (including police mistreatment)

Fear of having to relive the trauma of the experience

Fear of upsetting the stability of the family

Fear of loss of economic support from the abuser

Preference for cultural means of resolving disputes

Fear of ostracism or ridicule by peers

​Wanting to avoid the stigma attached to being a rape victim (being labelled as "damaged")

Occupy the drivers seat of a motor vehicle, the engine of which is running, while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or a drug having a narcotic effect

No person on a public road shall:

Occupy the driver's seat of a motor vehicle, the engine of which is running, while the concentration of alcohol in any specimen of blood taken from his or her body is not less than 0.05 grams per 100 milliliters. ​

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​National Traffic Act 1996 - if in any prosecution for a contravention of the provisions of subsection (2), it is proved that the concentration of alcohol in any specimen of blood taken from any part of the body of the person concerned was not less than 0.05 grams per 100 milliliters at any time within two hours after the offence, it shall be presumed, until the contrary is proved, that such concentration was not less than 0.05 grams per 100 milliliters at the time of the alleged offence.

- National traffic act 1996

Spotting a potential Drunk Driver

There are several signs associated with drunk driving, if you spot a potential drunk driver, keep a safe distance and inform the authorities.

A drunk driver may:

Make wide turns

Weave, swerve, drift, or straddle the centre line

Almost strike an object or vehicle

Drive on the wrong side of the road

Drive at a very low speed

Stop without an apparent cause

Brake erratically

Respond slowly to traffic lights

Make abrupt or illegal turns

Drive after nightfall with the headlights off

The alternatives to Drunk and Driving

When drinking alcohol, be responsible. With a group of friends, choose a designated driver. Make the decision as to who will be doing the driving before you go out and make sure that person doesn't drink any alcoholic beverages. Call a taxi, sometimes, even a designated driver can slip. If nobody is sober, take alternative transport. Hide keys, don't be afraid to take someone's car keys, if they get angry, it may mean your doing the right thing!

When throwing a party, give your guests plenty of alternatives and offer non-alcoholic beverages. Never pressure guests into drinking alcohol. Serve plenty of food, a full stomach can help slow the rate of alcohol absorption. Stop serving alcohol well before the party comes to an end, let your guests have an extra two hours without alcohol before they head home. Pay attention to your guests alcohol intake and behavior. and offer assistance in arranging alternative transportation. Never serve minors.

Be responsible, and encourage others to act responsibly. Safety is everyone's concern.

​- Tips to prevent drinking and driving. State Farm Learning Center

Thanks to a variety of mobile apps, your phone can now use your GPS signal to "hail a cab". Consider using the services of the providers bellow:

ICE could save your life! Whilst not only applicable to a drunk and driving scenario, In Case of Emergency or ICE refers to a number or numbers saved on your phone of a trusted person, guardian or next of kin who would be able to assist in a time of need. Never be afraid to ask for help.

Effects on the child portrayed ​In the majority of cases, children who appear in child pornography have not been physically forced to participate or abducted. They generally know the producer of the material and through subtle means are manipulated into taking part.

To be the subject of child pornography can have devastating physical, social, and psychological effects on both the children involved and those who are exposed to child pornography. ​​

​Child pornography is a cycle of victimization, with children being victimized when their abuse is perpetrated and recorded.

​They are further victimized each and every time that record is accessed. Victims often report physical pain, accompanying symptoms and feelings of physiological distress. ​

Most children report feeling a pressure to cooperate with the offender and not to disclose any information relating to the offence both out of loyalty and a sense of shame about their own behavior. In later years, victims report these feelings intensify into deep despair, worthlessness and general hopelessness.

These experiences provide the children with a distorted model of sexuality, and many report having particular difficulties in establishing healthy emotional and sexual relationships.

Effects on the user​Although many of the results are contentious, the effects of pornography on the user have been extensively studied. ​There are at least five possible relationships between pornography use and the sexual abuse of children:

​1. Pornography use is an expression of existing sexual interests. An individual who sexually abuses children seeks out child pornography as part of their pattern of sexual gratification. The offender’s sexual interests cause their pornography use rather than the other way around. ​

2. Pornography is used to prime the individual to offend. An individual deliberately views child pornography immediately prior to offending. Pornography is used in the short term to sexually stimulate the offender in preparation for offending

3. Pornography has a corrosive effect. An individual becomes increasingly interested in child pornography, is attracted to images of increasing severity, and becomes desensitized to the victims experience. Child pornography in the long term may also increase the risk that the person will sexually abuse a child.

4. Pornography has a cathartic effect. Viewing child pornography is the sole outlet for an individual’s sexual attraction to children. Pornography use may substitute for, or even help the individual resist engaging in hands-on offending

5. Pornography is a by-product of pedophilia. Pornography is created in the process of carrying out sexual abuse or is used to groom potential victims and prepare them for abuse.

Although every relationship is different, there are telltale signs of emotional and physical abuse occurring in the domestic setting:

General warning signs of domestic abuse:

Being afraid and anxious to please one's partner

Agreeing to everything your partner says

Receiving frequent and harassing phone calls from ones partner

One often talking about their partners possessiveness, anger and temper

Warning signs of physical violence:

Frequent injuries with the excuse of accidents

Frequent absence at school, work or social events

Dressing in clothing aimed to hide scars or bruises

The psychological sings of abuse:

Victims have low self esteem even if previously confident

Depression, anxiety or suicidal thoughts

Major personality changes

The warning signs of isolation:

A victim may be restricted from seeing family or friends

Seldom seen in public with their partner

Victims may have limited access to credit cards, transportation or money

Speak up if you suspect domestic violence or abuse...

If for any reason you suspect that someone you know is being abused, SPEAK UP. Talk to the person in private and let them know of your concerns. Discuss the things that you have noticed and make you worried. Show this person that you are supportive and will listen to them whenever they are ready to talk. Explain to them that your conversation will remain private, and you are ready to assist them in anyway you can.

By paying attention to the warning signs and offering support, you could help end the cycle of domestic abuse. People who have been emotionally abused or battered are depressed, drained, scared, ashamed and often confused. They are often isolated from their family and friends and need help.

South Africa’s taxi industry has come a long way since its inception as a result of deregulation in 1987. Government investment and a reinvigorated, consultative, recapitalization process are needed to prevent the industry from sliding further into violence .

The taxi industry has been recognized is a key player in South Africa’s society and economy and as such should not be neglected. Due to its high share of the commuter market, experts believe that the government should engage with all role players and properly formalize the taxi industry.

-A VIOLENT LEGACY The taxi industry and government at loggerheads

According to the Transport Department, 1,400 old and unsafe taxis have been scrapped this year, make sure you climb into a safe, roadworthy taxi.

92. Limits of jurisdiction in the matter of punishments(1) Save as otherwise in this Act or in any other law specially provided, the court, whenever it may punish a person for an offence-
(a) by imprisonment, may impose a sentence of imprisonment for a period not exceeding three years, where the court is not the court of a regional division, or not exceeding 15 years, where the court is the court of a regional division;(b) by fine, may impose a fine not exceeding the amount determined by the Minister from time to time by notice in the Gazette for the respective courts referred to in paragraph (a); [this is currently R60 000 for a district court, and R300 000 for a regional court](d) by correctional supervision, may impose correctional supervision for a period as contemplated in section 276A (1) (b) of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977 (Act 51 of 1977).

In many cases xenophobic violence stems from local issues, from crime to poverty. The importance of building relationships between foreign nationals and the different cultural groups within South Africa cannot be overstated.

The xenophobic attacks over the past 9 years have not been isolated incidents, but part of a wider issue of identity, poverty, and insecurity as experienced through out the country.

When Somalians are returning to their homes in the middle of a war zone instead of facing discrimination and violence in South Africa, it is clear that the problem is growing and as of yet has not been resolved.

While it is necessary to have a national strategy to combat xenophobia, local government and community initiates should also be playing critical roles.

Xenophobic attacks are never justified. We should all follow Desmond Tutu's example in outright condemnation of the attacks, as he said in 2008: "We won't tolerate this. Those who have been victims, we want to tell them we are sorry and we will not repeat this."

Most learners are able to show a clear and independent understanding of the bullying concept, with the views learners hold of bullying correlating closely to the traditional scholastic descriptions. When considering the distinction between bullying and abuse perpetrated by adults, as many as 1/10 learners have experience some from of abuse at the hands of known/ unknown (parents/ teachers) adults which is believed to hamper learners from reporting such incidents.

If you are being bullied, you may feel isolated or frightened. You may find it hard to make friends or talk to people in your age group.

YOU DON"T HAVE TO PUT UP WITH BULLYING!

To stop bullying, speak to someone. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but rather the first step to resolving a situation that is not acceptable.

Current research has helped to highlight the concerns regarding the seriousness and impact of bullying, specifically among young people. Most reviled feelings of sadness and depression, which in turn impact young people's emotional development and functioning. These negative emotions could contribute to the youth being trapped in a viscous cycle of exploitation and not being able to cope with not only the learning environment, but broader society as well.

The persistence of these negative emotions may lead young people to engage in self-destructive behavior such as drug and alcohol abuse in an attempt to escape these feelings. This behavior only helps to exacerbate the impact bullying has, and it is therefore recommended that intervention strategies be directed towards developing coping mechanisms for both the victims and the perpetrators.

(Perpetrators have also expressed that their bullying behavior impacts their emotions negatively).

Considering the emotional, psychological and physical effects on victims, acts of bullying should be taken seriously and warrants appropriate the action. It is of great benefit to adopt a restorative approach when considering bullying, which will encourage and afford a victim an opportunity to verbalize emotions regarding the impact of the incident and to encourage the perpetrator to take responsibility for his/ her actions and make amends.